Look back on any year and heartbreak, happiness and promise will resonate differently for everyone — 2018 was no different.

Plenty of stories made us smile (police lip sync battles), some gave us hope (the strawless push), many ignited a social media conversation (Ocean City's new median fence) and others made us wonder what is in store for 2019 (new university presidents, Aldi's arrival in Salisbury and Ocean City legal battle about the topless debate).

For better or worse, the stories below shaped the year that was 2018 and will have lingering impacts for 2019.

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Horror in Quantico: More than 100 living horses were removed from the Cherry Walk Road farm in March, resulting in 64 animal cruelty charges for Barbara Pilchard. Her trial is currently scheduled for March 2019. What to know about the story Staff Photo by Ralph Musthaler

Tainted water: In June, a Delaware law firm filed a class action lawsuit against Mountaire in Millsboro, representing nearly 700 residents with expert evidence of “gross” violations of poultry wastewater and sludge contamination. What to know about the story Jason Minto, The News Journal

ECI safety: At least twice, supporters of correctional officers at Eastern Correctional Institution in Somerset rallied to draw awareness to problems related to staffing. These issues were thrust into the spotlight after a group of inmates refused to lock in because they wanted to discuss an expansion of their activities, stirring concerns among correctional officers’ loved ones about their safety. Read more about the rallies here Staff photo by Rose Velazquez

Downtown Salisbury changing: Officials put several projects on the fast track in 2018 in preparation for the National Folk Festival, including the completion of the Riverwalk, construction of the Riverwalk Amphitheater, landscaping, new signage and a parking garage exterior makeover. Read why Staff Photo by Megan Raymond

Dewey trouble: Since its participation in a federal surplus military equipment program caught the public eye, Dewey Beach has faced criticism from some residents and town officials who questioned the town’s oversight policies and financial accountability. A new policy is in place. Read more here Staff Photo by Megan Raymond

Crab worker shortage: In 2018, the Trump administration decided to provide H-2B visas for immigrant workers through a lottery system, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. After the lottery in April, Maryland crab picking houses were short about 200 workers from the usual 500 that receive visas every year. Officials are hopeful for 2019. Read why Staff Photo by Megan Raymond

An Eastern Shore man: Ralph Northam was sworn in as Virginia's 73rd governor in a Richmond ceremony in January, becoming only the second Eastern Shore native to serve as governor. Read about Ralph Staff photo by Christine Brady

PETA and Pony Penning: Chincoteague's famous ponies completed their 93rd annual swim, but they were not without critics. PETA called twice for the end of pony penning: once following the deaths of two ponies that were stuck in mud and once after a "freak accident" immediately after the penning left a pony with a broken neck. Why it made Delmarva angry Staff photo by Jenna Miller

Summer beach woes: Some visitors prickled as delays in beach replenishment projects at southern Delaware beaches pushed work well into the summer of 2018. Contractors closed down 1,000 feet of beach at a time to complete the projects through July. Read why it's important and hotly debated Staff photo by Jenna Miller

A folky good time: The National Folk Festival came to Salisbury for its inaugural year this past September and left a lasting impression on the city. A study done by the Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University showed the festival left $20 million impact on the local economy. Read more about why Salisbury deserved it Staff Photo by Megan Raymond

Hurricane scare: Chincoteague was among low-lying areas on Virginia's Eastern Shore whose residents were ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Florence. Florence went on to turn south from Delmarva, instead bringing devastating flooding to parts of North and South Carolina. Why don't hurricanes make landfall in Maryland or Delaware? AP

Flooding, again: Flooding continued to be a problem in 2018, with the worst of it happening in October at the Canal Woods condominium complex and on Nanticoke Road at Riawalkin Pond when Tropical Storm Michael dumped 7 inches of rain in two hours. At Canal Woods, approximately 100 residents in 52 units at two buildings were evacuated. Flooding on the rise across Delmarva Staff photo by Susan Parker

Wind farm turbulence: Despite continued vocal opposition from local officials, this year saw more progress on the development of two offshore wind farms near the coasts of Maryland and Delaware. US Wind and Orsted — formerly known as Deepwater Wind — are moving forward with their respective projects, which are expected to be operation in the early 2020s. Why the fishing industry is concered Michael Dwyer, AP

New laws for H2Oi: A new special events zone law helped police officers tame some of Ocean City's car shows. The unofficial H2Oi still saw thousands of car enthusiasts travel to the resort town. H2Oi from a police perspective Staff Photo by Jenna Miller,

Election switch: Republican challenger Mary Beth Carozza defeated Democratic incumbent Jim Mathias to take over his District 38 seat in the State Senate. Mathias had served in the State Senate for two terms prior to the midterm election. Sheree Sample-Hughes, who holds the District 37A seat in the House of Delegates, became the sole Democratic representative on the Eastern Shore. Read about Carozza's campaign Staff Photo by Jenna Miller

Virginia election: Challenger Elaine Luria, a Democrat, claimed victory over first-term Republican incumbent Scott Taylor in the 2nd District House of Representatives race in November. Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District includes Accomack and Northampton counties, the cities of Virginia Beach and Williamsburg, and parts of Norfolk, Hampton, and York and James City counties. Turnout strong for midterm election Katy Harris photo

Wallops' new buildings: NASA's Wallops Flight Facility was the subject of a yet-unreleased efficiencies report between it and parent Goddard Space Flight Agency in Greenbelt. Not to be slowed down by the report, which was originally expected at the end of October, the facility opened several new buildings to better serve its customers. Read about the new buildings Staff photo by Jenna Miller

Sussex and growth: Sussex County Council has grappled with its changing jurisdiction at length this year, including recently passing one ordinance that prevents developers from counting tidal wetlands when calculating how many homes they can build on a property. The 2018 comp plan was also passed. The new rule Staff photo by Sarah Gamard

Rehoboth's outfall: Rehoboth Beach began discharging its treated wastewater out to sea in a bid to stop its nutrient pollution from entering the Inland Bays. Five months after the project began, the city is trying to figure out how to pay back the $41.5 million outfall without raising people’s sewer bills by $1,000 a year. Sussex taking over outfall? Jason Minto, The News Journal

Animals find new home: The Brandywine Valley SPCA has had a shining year in Georgetown thanks to service-changing renovations and hundreds of animal rescues in the wake of storms across the East Coast. The Georgetown campus has had 1,263 adoptions this year. The Hurricane Florence dogs Staff Photo by Jenna Miller,

Doctor shortage: A nationwide doctor shortage, particularly in primary care, is being felt on the rural Delmarva Peninsula. Health officials say a higher proportion of residents over age 55, who typically require more medical care than younger populations, is contributing to the shortage. Health care is sick, read more Staff photo by Taylor Goebel

A county for champs: It was the year of the champions in Sussex County throughout the high school sports scene. In 2018, seven Sussex schools brought home state championships, including the Delmar and Cape Henlopen field hockey teams, the Sussex Central and Woodbridge football squads and the Cape Henlopen baseball and girls lacrosse teams. Read about Central's state title WILLIAM BRETZGER, The News Journal